Wyoming is filled with many “hidden” treasures. Little gems of history and fortitude are everywhere. Fort Laramie doesn’t disappoint. It’s thrilling in its quiet beauty and historical realms.

Fort Laramie is still a small town, population roughly 1,000. Located along the Laramie River in Southeast Wyoming, it’s well worth visiting and spending a full day exploring the fort and the Iron Bridge (located very close together, less than 2 miles apart.)

The Visitors center of Fort Laramie historical site is located inside the old supplies facility. It has been nicely converted into a little museum. The museum is abundant in the historical telling of the fort itself. It also offers wonderful selections of goodies. The visitor center also has a vast variety of postcards and an ample range of postmarking stamps! There is a derelict post office on site. It was once part of the fort’s functional aspects more than a century ago. Yet, the active post office is located in the town. This allows one to write to a loved one about their awesome adventures. They can mail it off from the town itself!

Fort Laramie offers a walk through map of all the grounds, which is outstanding. The fort itself has many buildings that can also be toured. These include barracks, commissaries, Surgeons residents, and the Bedlam. The Bedlam has a fascinating back story of its name and history. There are ruins where edifices didn’t survive the time and plaques of information to enlighten.

The Laramie river runs along side the fort, providing much needed water then and now to the area, trees grow abundantly and the pastures around still don a herd of horses and a small amount of cattle (I am not sure if they are associated with the fort or not but it’s nice to imagine that the Calvary stationed there would still be in need of the horses and cattle if it were still an active fort!)

Fort Laramie was also a major trading post and rest stop for those traveling or living in the region–as well as a huge component in the Pony Express–while it lasted for the 18 months it ran. The Pony express had 120 young riders that delivered and most went through Fort Laramie!

The staff at Fort Laramie are well informed. They are super helpful in the knowledge and guidance of the fort. So please stop by and check it out! The entrance and parking are both free and are open year around, except on major holidays!

Hungry? Try out “The Fort” Bar and Grill in the town of Fort Laramie, 5 minutes from the Fort, great food and easy to find–wonderful selection